Question from Nancy Carew

Hi Debra,

I have been looking for a non-toxic anti-fatigue mat to use on ceramic tile. I came across an Imprint Cumulus Anti-Fatigue Mat that is made of polyurethane; it says it is environmentally friendly, non-toxic and phthalate free. I know you have posted that polyurethane is not toxic, but the chemicals added to it to make polyurethane foam are. Since this appears to be a thick polyurethane mat with a high density core (not foam), I am hoping it would be safe to order. What are your thoughts?

Debra’s Answer

Sounds like a good choice to me.

Here’s an example of when doing something that sounds like it is good for the environment turns out to be toxic.

Oil giant Chevron recycles 21 million gallons of oil field waste water each day and sells it to farmers who use it on about 45,000 acres of crops, about 10% of Kern County’s farmland, in California’s Central Valley.

Chemicals like acetone and methylene chloride are used. Government authories have required only limited testing of recycled irrigation water.

Plants do uptake toxics from the soil.

This is not a good idea.

And of course, “watered with toxic recycled oil field waste water” is not on the label of these foods.

LA TImes: Central Valley’s growing concern: Crops raised with oil field water

Add Comment

Question from Suzanne Foster

Hi Debra,

Thanks again for your wonderful website, books and resources.

I am looking at an office chair at IKEA, the GREGOR swivel chair. The product description says the seat cushion is made of “high Resilient polyurethane foam ( Cold foam)”. Do you know what that is and is it safe?
Thank you

Debra’s Answer

Polyurethane foams come in a number of different types.

High Resiliency Cold Foaming process is the most widely used today in the manufacture of molded flexible foams.

It’s still polyurethane foam, which is made from toxic chemicals.

I love to shop at IKEA. Many chairs I would have liked to purchase, but I never purchase anything made from polyurethane foam.

A recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Sciences (JES) shows that embryonic stem cells could serve as a model to evaluate the physiological effects of environmental pollutants efficiently and cost-effectively.

The use of stem cells has found another facade. In the world we live in today, people are constantly exposed to artificial substances created by various industrial processes. Many of these materials, when exposed to humans, can cause acute or chronic diseases. As a consequence, validated toxicity tests to address the potential hazardousness of these pollutants have become an urgent need.

Although stem cells have been used before in the field of toxicology, researchers at the State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences China, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), successfully detail the use of stem cells to gauge the neurotoxicity effects of the environmental pollutant Bisphenol A (BPA) in their study.

ENN: Stem Cell Research Identifies Effects of Pollution on Human Health

Add Comment

Question from Jenny

Hi Debra,

Hope all is well. And your having a nice summer 🙂

We are packing an emergency bin and I wanted to know if it was safe to store the following below with the other food. Or should I disregard all together:

Coghlan’s 0450 Camp Heat (that is still in cans)

Coghlan’s 0450 Camp Heat

Or is this one better?

Grabber Outdoors Solid Hexamine Fuel Tablets- High Performance

Debra’s Answer

The first one contains ethylene glycol, which is toxic enough to require a spot in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Emergency Response Safety and Health Database.

They say “Following absorption, 80% or more of ethylene glycol is chemically converted by the body into toxic compounds.” And much more

www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750031.html

The second one contains hexamine which is listed on the New Jersey Department of Health Right to Know Hazardous Substances List.

www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0996.pdf

I can’t believe these products are labeled nontoxic. They just aren’t.

Here in Florida we need to pack emergency rations for possible hurricanes. We only pack food that doesn’t require cooking, like nuts, dried fruits, jerky, etc.

But I also know that after a hurricane, rescue teams do rush in and provide everything. I know because I was on one of those teams after a hurricane.

Depends on the emergency what you might need.

Add Comment

Question from Lauren C

Hi Debra,

Thank you so much for all the info you provide–I have been able to find a lot of great information here and I so appreciate how you take the time to answer questions!

I have been looking for a while for a non-toxic hairbrush with no success.

I cannot find any information about what type of plastic is used in any plastic hairbrush, I have read that bamboo products sometimes use glues containing formaldehyde, and I have also read that sometimes boar hair can be treated with pesticides.

I found one solid wood brush that was finished with linseed oil (Widu brushes)—not sure if that’s ok?

Do you have any recommendations? Would love to find a safe hairbrush and a comb too!

Debra’s Answer

Well, first off, I have never considered that hairbrushes of any kind were so toxic that I needed to research this subject at all.

That said, I’m going through a phase now where I am looking at everything with new eyes and am systematically researching all products to find out materials used.

So I can’t answer your question immediately. It will require some research. But I’m posting it here to maybe get some help with that.

First I’ll say I use a wood handle brush with boar bristles and a wooden comb. I’ve had these for so long I don’t remember where I got them. I’ve never noticed any toxic effects from them.

If I were researching this I would call manufacturers and ask them the questions you have brought up about materials. If you like that Widu Brush, call and ask them more about the materials.

Common plastics used for hairbrush handles are ABS and polyacetal. Bristles are nylon. None of these plastics are particularly toxic.

The key here is not to rely on what you read, but to take what you read and start asking questions.

Anyone who wants to do some research can comment here and I will publish it.

Readers, any suggestions for hairbrushes and combs you use and like?

Add Comment

Question from TA

Hi Debra,

Did you receive my submission to your Q&A page about this table? It has a Tuff Gloss UV finish (whatever that means!) and is Greenguard certified. Is this enough to give me assurance that it’s non-toxic? I contacted the company and found out they are formaldehyde-free. Anything else I should find out before purchasing?

Debra’s Answer

I have no first hand experience with these tables, but the description looks fine to me.

Add Comment

This spring 17 certified organic farmers signed on to a letter to Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey asking him to withdraw the company’s “Responsibly Grown” produce labeling program, at least temporarily. The farmers, all of whom sell produce to the 400+-store high-end grocery chain, objected to having to pay for the grocer’s marketing program and to the fact that non-organic produce could qualify to be labeled “GOOD,” “BETTER,” or even “BEST” under the program.

Read the article at cornucopia.org

Add Comment

Here is an interesting article about the connection between toxic chemicals in household products and breast cancer.

The Silent Spring Institute is dedicated to finding the specific chemicals that cause breast cancer from among the thousands of chemicals women in our society are exposed to daily. And they’ve developed their own tools to find them.

Idaho Mountain Express: Are Household Products Killing Us?

Silent Spring Institute

Add Comment

Pesticides are identified by their active ingredients, but they also contain so called “inert ingredients” that are not revealed on the label, nor are they even vetted by the EPA.

This article talks about two nanoparticle additives that are commonly used to boost the effectiveness of pesticides.

Mother Jones: Scientists Say Supposedly Miraculous Ingredients in Weed Killers Don’t Actually Work

Add Comment